07 Oct 2017  1

This session sets up the way in which we will integrate material, highlighting the eyewitness credentials in all four gospels, and the testimony of the Early Church to the authors and their perspectives. We will give this perspective precedence over modern theories, so need to explore how modern research is bringing the traditional view back into consideration.

Building on the evidence presented in the first session we will fit the development of the Gospels into the story and history of Acts. This is a much earlier time frame than is often presented but it explains far more as we see the interplay of the Gospels with each other, with the rest of the New Testament, and with secular history.

02 Dec 2017   3

The birth narratives will be matched with the testimony of secular history. To create a very real and vivid adventure, played out at the crossroads of the ancient world.

           4

Demonstrating the story in the meta-narrative, noting the changes in style and practice as Jesus’ ministry grows, multiplies and explodes before its climax in Jerusalem. Each phase of ministry will be explored in more detail in the following sessions.

           5

A more detailed look at the Baptism, early training and exploratory start to Jesus’ ministry before John’s arrest. A period of 9 mths to a year (mid 29 AD to mid 30 AD).

          6

A more detailed look at the first phase and tours of Jesus’ Galilean based ministry before John the Baptist’s execution.

          7

Looking at the shape and content of Jesus early teaching, the Sermon on the Mount and on the Plain, the missions sermon, the Kingdom parables.

          8

Following controversy and John’s execution, Jesus’ ministry moves outside the town centres and the authority of Herod, but it remains in the north around Galilee.

          9

All four Gospels refer to Jesus’ deliberate decision to focus the last 9 months of his ministry in Judea rather than Galilee. Here he sends out 72.  Jesus is constantly on the move.